The first buyer of Nutcracker tickets, which went on sale on November 11, shared their impression on a major TV channel, Star. Elena, a mother from Moscow, waited in line for 59 hours starting November 8 so she could take her daughter to the show. She described the plan simply: two tickets for herself and her daughter, who will turn 16 in January. The gift is meant to be a memory, as they will celebrate the New Year together on Red Square, in a setting that many consider absolutely magical.
To purchase tickets for her daughter, Elena needed the daughter’s passport, a requirement that added one more step to the process. On Friday evening near the Bolshoi Theatre, a large crowd gathered for the most anticipated pre New Year performances on December 29, 30, and 31. The anxiety around securing access bracelets and tickets grew as rumours spread that not everyone would be accommodated. Mash Telegram channel reported that at least one young follower experienced a panic attack amid the crush.
Yulia, a Moscow resident, told socialbites.ca that waiting to buy the Nutcracker tickets at the Bolshoi felt like going through several circles of hell. She noted that unaffiliated individuals reportedly distributed counterfeit or temporary crossers to speed up entry, while law enforcement coordination appeared overwhelmed and less than smooth, leaving attendees frustrated and unsure.
In a broader note, there was a separate report that Olga Buzova had injured herself while filming in China, a reminder of the high emotions and intense activity surrounding public events and celebrity appearances during this season.