Peoples of Russia: Regional Vepsians’ celebrations “The Tree of Life – 2010"

The annual 22^nd Regional Veps’ (Vepsians’) holiday “The Tree of Life” will kick off on June 13 in the village Vinnitsy (Podporozhye district, Leningrad oblast). The holiday was organized in 1987 on one of sites of historical settlements of Veps. This year’s program is based on an old myth telling about the creation of the Finno-Ugric world, which gave the holiday its name “Once upon a time lived a white bird…”.

The holiday’s symbol is the Tree of Life, which embodies a universal concept of laws of the Life and the Universe. The key idea of the Tree of Life is associated with the life’s strength and eternal life.

The Folk Theatre “Northern lights” of the A. I. Herzen Pedagogical University will become the main guest of celebrations. Among this team’s members are representatives of native peoples of the North, Siberia and Far East of Russia: Chukchi, Eskimos, Koryaks, Itelmen, Khanty, Mansi, Saami, Yakuts etc.

The multifaceted program of celebrations includes performances of folk teams of Leningrad oblast and Republic of Karelia, exhibition of arts and crafts by masters of Podporozhye district, as well as competitions and amusements. Following the tradition, the contest of inns (homesteads) called “Kel külä paremb” (“Whose village is more beautiful?”) and an auction of the local masters’ goods will take place within the framework of celebrations.