The XVI Creative Children’s and Youth Festival “Christmas Angel” Took Place in Almaty

On December 21, 2025, by the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the jubilee XVI Creative Children’s and Youth Festival “Christmas Angel” was held in the Hall of Church Assemblies at St. Nicholas Cathedral in the city of Almaty.

The event was organized by the Central Sunday School of St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Southern Capital with the assistance of the Department of Culture of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District.

The festival curators were Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Administrator of the Affairs of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, and Priest Bogdan Boyko, Head of the Metropolitan District’s Department of Culture. The project director was G. V. Cherepanova, Director of the Central Sunday School.

The festival, dedicated to the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, brought together more than four hundred pupils from 15 parish Sunday schools of the city and the region.

During the competitions, children demonstrated their talents in three categories:

– a vocal competition consisting of three nominations – solo performance, ensemble, and choir;

– an exhibition of drawings and handicrafts;

– a choreography competition.

The winners of the XVI Creative Children’s and Youth Festival “Christmas Angel” were determined by the jury based on the results of a secret ballot.

The award ceremony was presided over by Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen.

Before the start of the ceremonial event, G. V. Cherepanova addressed those gathered on behalf of the festival organizers. Galina Vasilyevna thanked everyone for their efforts and congratulated them on the approaching New Year and the Nativity of Christ.

Those present were shown a short concert prepared by the participants of the creative competitions.

Festival Winners

Children’s Drawing Competition

I place – the Sunday school of the church in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday and the Sunday school of Kazan Cathedral;

II place – the Central Sunday School of St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Sunday school of the church in honor of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir;

III place – the Sunday school of the church in honor of the Apostle John the Theologian and the Sunday school of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Children’s Handicrafts Competition

I place – the Sunday school of St. Vladimir Church and the Sunday school of the Iveron–St. Seraphim Women’s Monastery;

II place – the Central Sunday School and the Sunday school of the church in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday;

III place – the Sunday school of the church of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian of Asia and the Sunday school of the Intercession Church in the city of Issyk.

Choreography Competition

Grand Prix of the creative competition – the Central Sunday School;

I place – the Sunday school of the Iveron–St. Seraphim Women’s Monastery, the Sunday school of the Intercession Church, and the Sunday school of the church in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday;

II place – the Sunday school of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Vocal Competition Winners

Nomination “Solo Performance”

Grand Prix of the creative competition – Serafima Mamonova, pupil of the Central Sunday School;

I place – Marina Filippova, pupil of the Central Sunday School;

II place – Nikolai Zaikin, pupil of the Sunday school of the church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday.

Nomination “Ensemble”

I place – the Sunday school of the Epiphany Church;

II place – the Sunday school of the church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Friday.

Nomination “Choir”

I place – the choir of the Sunday school of the church in honor of the Apostle John the Theologian;

II place – the senior choir of the Central Sunday School and the choir of the Sunday school of the Epiphany Church;

III place – the choir of the Sunday school of the church of the Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia and the junior choir of the Central Sunday School.

Prize-winners of all competitions and nominations received certificates, prizes, and commemorative gifts from the hands of Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen. Addressing those gathered, the archpastor thanked the organizers for the excellent work accomplished and congratulated the young winners, wishing them health, well-being, and new creative achievements.