How Soviet parents had to ‘fish out’ their kids at the Kremlin New Year’s show
In the Soviet years, this New Year's Eve performance in Moscow was everyone's dream. However, adults were not allowed to get in on the fun.
The main New Year's performance for Soviet children used to always be held at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses in Moscow. They got in by special invitation, with tickets given to the best students, or those who showed themselves as especially hard-working, as well as those whose parents did a lot for the country.
The best artists always performed, and the biggest and tastiest gifts were handed out. It was everyone's dream to become a participant in the New Year's extravaganza at the Kremlin. However, adults were not allowed inside. So, how did they pick up their children after the show? Well, the question concerned every parent newcomer.
The pickup ritual was always strictly planned: at the end of the program, right by the exit of the hall, the young spectators held hands and went in a circle - and parents standing outside the circle would simply fish their child out.
Of course, this made a lot of children anxious and fearful that they’d be forgotten. After all, there were urban legends about kids allegedly left unclaimed after each Christmas party - so, no wonder it was a stressful experience for every young kid!
Today children are allowed into the Kremlin only with their parents.
