Tatarstan’s main New Year Tree lights up at Tatneft Arena

Yesterday, 7.5 thousand children from all over Tatarstan gathered in Kazan to celebrate the traditional national children's New Year party. President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated the young citizens of the republic on the upcoming Universiade year.

The show opened with a story about the Universiade Torch Relay, reminding the audience that already on January 25 the Sedov, a sailing ship, would deliver the Torch to Vladivostok where the Russian leg of the Relay would kick off. Three snow leopard kittens called Uni, Universiade 2013 mascots, were the main characters in the show called The Star Shine in your Hands. Having received a capsule with the Flame, the kittens accidentally lost the sparkles and had to travel, using a magic navigator, around five continents to bring the Universiade Flame back to the capital of Tatarstan.

During their quest the leopard kittens found themselves in Bolgar, where they learned the history of Kazan. The kittens got a magic sparkle after they had mastered smithcraft. The African continent was the next destination for the Universiade mascots, and there, among the pyramids, the snow leopards, assisted by Asterix and Obelix, found a sparkle of diligence and persistence. In Asia, they met the Panda who helped them to master the art of kung fu, and then they got a sparkle of knowledge. Then the leopard kittens found themselves at a rock-n-roll festival in America, and Elvis Presley arrived there in his limousine. Having mastered boogie-woogie, the leopard kittens got a sparkle of energy.

The breathtaking and spectacular show continued with a performance by the London 2012 champions in rhythmic gymnastics, Russian national team coached by Irina Viner-Usmanova.
The journey of the leopard kittens Uni on the eve of the New Year continued in the very heart of the European continent, in Spain. They won the traditional Spanish entertainment, took a bullfighting master-class delivered by a real toreador and then got a sparkle of courage. Being guided by their navigator, the Universiade mascots found themselves at Sabantuy, a Tatar festival, on the Australian continent. They watched an ostrich race and a kuresh fight between kangaroos, and then the leopard kittens received a sparkle of friendship.
Coming back to Kazan, the leopard kittens met the Snow Maiden and Grandfather Frost who recollected that the Universiade was coming, pulled off his fur coat and appeared in front of the audience wearing a sports suit. The centre of attention of the day, the IT-Fur tree, was also a surprise, since it literally grew on the stage, appearing from under the wing-flats.
In his speech of welcome in front of the spectators that included talented children, winners of school competitions in various subjects, creativity competitions and sports competitions, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov noted: “We worked pretty well in 2012. In 2013, we should hold the Universiade decently so that everyone would like it. I congratulate you on this holiday, and let all your dreams come true!”

To make the New Year show brilliant and impressive, a two-level stage was erected at Tatneft Arena and an amazing video-projection system was installed. Lively performances by children and youth groups (Kazan dance ensemble, the State Choir of Tatarstan, Zulyaylya vocal trio and others) were followed by sport shows delivered by winners of national and Russian competitions, participants of the Summer and Winter Universiades. Every spectator received a New Year present in a small bag designed to resemble the symbol of the upcoming year – the snake.

The show ended with a performance by Russian singer Maksim. It should be mentioned that Kazan 2013 volunteers supported the organising committee. They helped the spectators find their way around the venue and get their presents.