Old New Year Gala 2011

Eventica celebrated Russian Old New Year 2011 with the return of its much-loved Russian Old New Year Gala, which took place this year in the magnificent Plaisterers' Hall in the City of London. The New Year is Russia’s biggest festive celebration. Commemorating the New Year according to the pre-revolutionary calendar, Russian Old New Year is rich in history, fascinating traditions and entertaining customs. While the rest of the world is back at work soon after 1 January, the people of Russia get to celebrate all over again with Russian Old New Year on the night of 13 January.

The Russian Olympic Committee were welcomed as guests of honour at the event. The evening followed the theme of ‘sporting triumph’, and we were delighted that Paul Deighton, CEO of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) entered into the festive spirit of the evening, by welcoming guests to London and wishing them a Happy New Year.

The charity auction, conducted by Adrian Biddell of Sotheby’s, raised an impressive £22,000 for a Team Russia/Russian Paralympic Committee initiative to bring children living with disability from Russia to London for the Paralympics.