The main Cristmas tree venue of Zheleznodorozhny (Railway) District of Krasnoyarsk was opened on the territory of the park named after Yuri Gagarin.

The scenario of the ceremony was a non-standard one – Ded Moroz (Russian Santa) with Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) and their fairy tale assistants arrived at the winter celebration venue in a real sleigh. The spectacular entrance of the New Year characters was followed by a drummmers’ show. Both adults and children danced and warmed up to energetic music.

The culmination of the New Year show was the performance of Patrick Erjach aka D DONG G. Patrick is from Cameroon in Africa and is now a student Krasnoyarsk Pedagogical University.

“Krasnoyarsk is a very beautiful city. In Cameroon we have no snow, no winter, we do not ski or skate. It is fun here, I’m now learning to ski,” he said.

The student from Cameroon read rap congratulations to the residents of Zheleznodorozhny District on the coming New Year 2019 and sang his rap-song “Russia” he wrote to support the Russian football team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I really liked it, this time it was really special. The program, the atmosphere. It’s minus 30 outside, but it’s so good and interesting here that I don’t want to go home,” shared her impressions Tamara Agapova, a resident of Zheleznodorozhny District.

During a one and a half hour concert which took place on the stage, Ninja Turtles, Winnie-the-Pooh’s Tigger, Bear and the mascot of Universiade 2019, U-Laika walked around the territory of the New Year venue and everyone could take pictures with them.

In spite of the frosty weather, hundreds of Krasnoyarsk residents gathered in the park. Children, adults, adults with children were testing the cool ice slides and a an ice labyrinth, watched beautiful ice sculptures and went to take photos in a 150-meter long illuminated alley.

The final element of the celebration became a New Year disco and a khorovod (Russia round dance) around the main Christmas tree of the district.

“Every year we strive to change the format of the celebration. To make it more dynamic, more interesting for our residents. Next year, Zheleznodorozhny District will be 40 years old and we are definitely going to celebrate this date in a special way,” said Yuriy Savchuk, Head of the Zheleznodorozhny District Administration.