‘We Strive to Become Part of a Living Tradition’: Christmas Festivities at HSE
On January 15, 2025, people dressed in traditional Russian folk costumes and sang carols accompanied by an accordion, rattles, and wooden spoons. The festive event, organised by the HSE Heritage Club at the HSE campus on Pokrovsky Bulvar, was open to everyone, attracting not only students and university staff but also local residents and their children.
The Heritage HSE Club, which hosted the event, focuses on activities dedicated to Russian culture. ‘We strive to become part of a living tradition that connects the past and the present, fostering an active and civic-minded spirit in students through an understanding of our rich national culture and history,’ said Ekaterina Razbaeva, the club’s head and a lecturer at the HSE School of Foreign Languages. ‘This is very important to us. We believe our culture is a treasure that we either know little about or fail to notice and remember. But in reality, it is something that allows us to live more fully and meaningfully.’
The evening began with a short Christmas quiz, where guests were invited to form teams and compete in their knowledge of carol texts and Christmas traditions. Professional musicians from the Vishnevy Tsvet (‘Cherry Blossom’) folklore ensemble, Svetlana Tomilina and Igor Kukoba, then hosted a workshop on carolling and traditional games. Following this, attendees donned colourful scarves and masks, and, accompanied by the sounds of the accordion, wooden spoons, and rattles, embarked on Christmas carolling around the HSE campus, visiting various university departments and student organisations.
The celebration concluded with a candle-making workshop and a friendly tea party.
Konstantin Sereda, a fourth-year student of the bachelor’s programme in Mathematics, attended the event because he decided to be more active in extracurricular activities during his final year. ‘The festive atmosphere here, with carols extending the holiday spirit even after the break is over, is great,’ he said. ‘Events like this allow you to take a break from studying and work, relax a little, and have a great time.’
This year, Anastasia Pechenkina, a second-year student of the bachelor’s programme in Classical Studies, had her first experience of carolling. ‘I was curious to learn about it and give it a try. It turned out to be fun and engaging, and there was a strong sense of unity in the choral singing. HSE is a large university, and events like these help people from different programmes connect and bond.’
Ksenia Boluchevskaya, a first-year student of the bachelor’s programme in Software System and Development Process Automation, participated in the carolling event for the second time. ‘I came because last year it was fun and energetic. This year, there are even more people, which is great,’ she noted. ‘Events like these are essential for reminding people of these traditions and encouraging them to spend more time together.’
The festive carolling at HSE University was open not only to students and staff but to anyone interested. For example, Elena Cherepannikova, a Moscow-based hairdresser, learnt about the event from acquaintances. ‘I did not expect HSE to support, study, and promote Russian traditions,’ she said. ‘This is not my first experience with carolling—I have done it in the village and at work. It is important not to forget Russian traditions, to remain connected to our roots, and to study our history. It is also a chance for personal interaction, which modern youth sorely lack because they spend so much time online.’
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