Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko fulfilled the wish of five-year-old Miron from Krasnodar as part of the „Wishing Tree“ campaign.
The head of the Russian Ministry of Health gave the child a set for conducting chemical experiments and a construction kit. The gift was presented to Miron by Father Frost after the performance „The Nutcracker 2.0“ at the Krasnodar Palace of Arts. Mikhail Murashko also recorded a video greeting for the child.
„Dear Miron, I congratulate you on the upcoming New Year. I know that the ‚Circle of Kindness‘ foundation, which was created on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, has acquired an innovative medicine for you that allows you to develop and grow on par with your peers. And today, on New Year’s Eve, we are fulfilling your wish, your dream,“ the minister said to the boy.
Murashko noted that he hopes the gift will help the child try himself in the role of a chemist and influence his choice of specialty in the future, and also wished Miron good health and success in his future career.
Krasnodar
Krasnodar is a major city in southern Russia, founded in 1793 by Catherine the Great as a fortress and named Yekaterinodar („Catherine’s Gift“) to guard the empire’s new Kuban region border. It served as the historical and cultural center of the Kuban Cossacks before being renamed Krasnodar („Red Gift“) in 1920 following the Russian Civil War. Today, it is a vibrant administrative and economic hub for the surrounding agricultural region.
Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree is a cultural tradition found in various forms worldwide, often a specific tree where people tie notes, ribbons, or other tokens to make a wish. Historically, this practice is rooted in ancient animistic beliefs and folk customs, where trees were seen as sacred vessels connected to the divine or spiritual forces. Today, famous examples like the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees in Hong Kong continue this ritual, blending historical reverence with modern tourism and hope.
Father Frost
„Father Frost“ is a legendary figure in Slavic folklore, traditionally depicted as a winter wizard who brings frost, snow, and gifts during the New Year and Christmas season. His modern, secularized image was popularized in the Soviet Union as a kind, grandfatherly counterpart to Ded Moroz (his Russian name), often accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden). While ancient in origin, his current role as a festive gift-giver was largely shaped by 20th-century cultural policies to provide a non-religious winter holiday figure.
The Nutcracker 2.0
„The Nutcracker 2.0“ is not a traditional place or historical cultural site, but rather a modern, innovative adaptation of the classic 1892 ballet *The Nutcracker* by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. These contemporary versions, which began emerging in the late 20th and 21st centuries, often reimagine the story with updated settings, diverse music, and new choreography to reflect modern themes and appeal to broader audiences. They represent an evolving cultural tradition that honors the original while allowing for creative reinterpretation across global stages.
Krasnodar Palace of Arts
The Krasnodar Palace of Arts is a prominent cultural center in southern Russia, originally opened in 1967 as the „House of Culture for the Krasnodar Oil and Gas Industry.“ It was extensively reconstructed and reopened in 2015, now serving as a modern venue for theater performances, concerts, exhibitions, and festivals, significantly contributing to the region’s artistic life.
Circle of Kindness
The „Circle of Kindness“ is not a widely recognized historical or cultural site. It is most commonly the name for community art installations, memorial benches, or local initiatives focused on promoting compassion and connection. These are typically modern creations without a long historical narrative, serving instead as symbolic spaces for reflection and community building.
President of the Russian Federation
The „President of the Russian Federation“ is not a physical place or cultural site, but the title of the head of state. The office was established in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with Boris Yeltsin serving as the first president. It is the highest political position in the country, with executive power residing in the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian Ministry of Health
The Russian Ministry of Health is the federal executive body responsible for public health policy, healthcare services, and sanitation in Russia. It traces its origins to the People’s Commissariat of Health of the Russian Soviet Republic, established in 1918 as one of the world’s first state healthcare systems. Today, it oversees the implementation of national health projects and regulates the country’s vast medical infrastructure.
