In small Russian villages Christmas festivities are in full swing. Thanks to the old Julian calendar they run from January 17 to 19. And for the people living in the village of Davydovo it means twelve days of games, singing, and dancing.

“We play the accordion, sing songs, and dance,” says babushka Nina of village Davydovo, Yaroslavl region. “It’s an important and pleasant part of our Christmas celebrations.”

Yana Antonova organises celebrations in the village. Her grandmother taught her how to do it. Her dream is to bring back the magic of those days to make the beginning of the 21st  century merrier.

“Every Russian needs to know their culture until it’s assimilated by European culture,” believes Ms Antonova. “We have to preserve our customs; they are largely forgotten, and can disappear completely.”

The younger follow their parents and grandparents performing traditional dances to old tunes. Then there is a kissing game which makes the older folks recall the happy days of their youth and the beginning of their romances.