I'm drawn to the body language of the two performers - who even with unmoving masks and in frigid temperatures seem to be reveling for the New Year. The image makes me want to do more research about this celebration and its origins, and for that reason, although the subjects are "performing" for the camera, I think it's a successfully interesting photo.

Konstantin Chernichkin/Reuters
People gather to look at a performers during a celebration of the New Year in the Ukrainian village Vashkivtsi in Carpathian Mountains 550 km (342 miles) southwest of the capital Kiev, January 14, 2008. The local population traditionally celebrates New Year according to Julian calendar.