Our February 2025 Koliada was a wonderful creation of village magic, bringing nature and the mythic to our small village of Cherry Valley, New York. Learn more about last year’s adventure here.

We’re happy to share that we’ve gotten grant funding to make Koliada bigger and better this year!
Register now for our free workshops. Details below.

Our performance will be during the Cherry Valley First Friday, February 6th, bringing light and joy back to the dark days of winter.  On February 7th, we will perform at different homes throughout the village of Cherry Valley.

Our application is currently open for Koliada Performers!
If you’d like to join us as a paid performer, you can learn more & apply here.

What is Koliada?

Koliada draws from the rich Slavic heritage of Telegraph School founder Angelica Palmer, who is bringing this ancient village tradition back to life.  It dates back to pre-Christian times in the Slavic world of Central and Eastern Europe.  People dressed up as animals and spirits representing the darkness of winter and the returning sun.  They went from house to house in their village, singing songs and performing skits to call back the sun and bless the fertility of the crops for the coming year.  In exchange they were given gifts of food, drinks, and coins.  They believed that by becoming animals and spirits, their words would have more magical power and be more effective.

Cherry Valley Koliada is a series of free workshops, a public performance, and a roving theatrical performance that travels around the village, performing for people in their homes or passing by.

“There is a lot of anger, overwhelm, and desperation in the world right now.  The seasonal village rituals of Slavic Europe offer a supernatural magic that is a balm for the soul.  Embodying spirits of nature and bringing love and connection to our neighbors helps us keep hold of our humanity,” says Telegraph School founder and ritual artist Angelica Palmer.  “The world is changing rapidly and through play and connection, our community stays strong and resilient.”

We are grateful to have received funding from the Earlville Opera House's Arts in the Community Grants Program, made possible by the NYS Legislature with support of the Office of the Governor, and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts. We are also thankful to have received a grant from the 2025 Spring Awards Cycle of the Community Foundation of Otsego County.