Grandfather Frost, the Russian Santa Claus, will also this year bring gifts to children aboard his troika, the traditional sleigh pulled by three horses, but the party will be halfway through and the dark shadow of war will become the fascinating fairy tale lights and cover up the fireworks, concerts.
Literally. In St. Petersburg, New Year’s celebrations, the quintessential family holiday, and Orthodox Christmas are canceled, and all funds previously allocated for the holidays are being used to fund the volunteers and troops being mobilized in what Moscow calls a “special military operation” in the Ukraine.
The decision of the city administration was announced in a statement, which explained that “during a meeting with the governor Alexander Beglov and members of the city administration, it was decided to cancel the previously planned events to celebrate the New Year”. Thus, “all available funds are directed to a special account of the city of St. Petersburg, which provides for the purchase of additional clothing and equipment for volunteers and mobilized citizens.” St. Petersburg had already set aside 300,000 rubles (about US$1,600) for the volunteers; However, for those who have been recalled, the bonus is only 100,000 rubles.
A decision taken by the “belligerents” that has already attracted supporters. The mayor of the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Yury Shalabayev, also said that the previously planned New Year and Christmas celebrations in the city, including concerts and celebrations, will be canceled and that all financial resources previously allocated will be used to help the families of Nizhny Novgorod Russian citizens mobilized.
“I received numerous questions from our citizens through the websites about the mass celebrations, concerts and fireworks planned for next New Year. My answer – he marked – is no, even if we originally planned it.”
Only snow will be left to decorate the ancient capital of the tsars.
But better than the rockets that will break through the night of Ukrainian children.
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