Ava Cheptoo Cheruiyot, 11, (L) a member of the Dance Centre Kenya (DCK), gets ready to take the stage for her performance in The Nutcracker 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)