Ava Cheptoo Cheruiyot, 11, a member of the Dance Centre Kenya (DCK), watches The Nutcracker from backstage at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi on December 7, 2024. The Nutcracker is a beloved Christmas ballet, first performed in 1892, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Known for its enchanting score and festive themes, it has become a holiday tradition worldwide. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP)