On 31 December residents of 12 Konakovsky Proezd, building 1, turned their stairwell into a theatrical New Year experience that delighted local children and brought neighbours together.
Moscow New Year quest draws neighbours and children together
Organised by Anna and Sergey Kotikov, the event transformed a familiar communal space into a series of challenges and performances. Under the premise that mischievous characters had stolen the tree decorations, participating children were invited to solve riddles and complete tasks to recover the ornaments and light the tree.
The idea is simple and effective: create an atmosphere of surprise and fun that revives a sense of wonder for children while involving adults in the acting and production. The Kotikovs have staged similar games for their daughter and close friends for several years, but this was the first time they expanded the cast to involve the whole building.
Seventeen children aged seven to twelve took part in the quest. Neighbours volunteered to play characters drawn from Russian folklore and children’s literature, including Baba Yaga, Koschei the Deathless and the Snow Queen. The mischievous Maleficent was played by Nina Gerasimova, a multi‑mother and a captain in the Golovinsky police department, who was on maternity leave at the time.
Costumes were crafted largely from household items, with a few store‑bought accessories added for effect. For example, a beard was purchased to complete the costume of Karabas‑Barabas, while the Snow Queen borrowed a fur coat from a friend who plays Ded Moroz.
Parents wrote the script, devised puzzles and staged the episodes across landing areas and corridors so that each door became a new scene. Children worked together to answer riddles, complete dexterity tests and perform short tasks. At the end of the route they returned the ornaments to a waiting tree in the courtyard where, after the lights were switched on, Ded Moroz appeared with sweets.
For many of the participants the disguises were a complete surprise. One seven‑year‑old embraced her mother in costume and exclaimed, ‘My Kikimora,’ showing both recognition and delight. The communal effort extended beyond the game itself: after the quest families and volunteers headed to a nearby free ice rink by the river port, still in costume, to continue the celebration.
Organisers say the primary aim was to preserve the magic of the season for children and to create a moment of shared joy for the building’s residents. The event required modest resources but a substantial commitment of time and creativity from the volunteers.
Neighbours hope the success of the pilot will encourage similar activities in other blocks, stressing that a modest budget and willing participants are all that is needed to stage a memorable holiday experience. For residents of Konakovsky Proezd, the day was a reminder that community spirit can create lasting memories for children and adults alike.
Key Takeaways:
- Neighbours in a Moscow block organised a community event that transformed their stairwell into a festive interactive game for children.
- The Moscow New Year quest brought together 17 children aged 7–12 and several adult volunteers, including a police captain in costume.
- Children completed puzzles to restore stolen decorations, met Ded Moroz and then celebrated with skating at a nearby free rink.
