In 2014 the honour to become New Year’s Capital fell upon Vologda. A project called New Year Capital was launched in Russia last year. It was initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation in 2013. Kazan was chosen as the first such capital. From now on, every year a board of experts will select such capital, where the New Year will be celebrated in a special way, because every Russian city has its own traditions of celebrating.

In 2014, the honour to become New Year’s Capital fell upon Vologda. Vologda’s authorities planned a number of major festive actions and events not only in Vologda, but also in Veliky Ustyug, the hometown of Ded Moroz, Russia’s equivalent of Santa Claus.

From December 28, 2013 to January 8, 2014 large-scale New Year and Christmas celebrations took place in the city and nearby tourist sites. In the center of Vologda the highest slide in Russia was built. Celebrating this wonderful holiday is one of the most heartwarming traditions. It is passed on from generation to generation, bringing people together.

The main celebrations were held on December 31, when Russia’s Ded Moroz arrived in Vologda. Together with the children and guests to Vologda city he wrote a huge canvas "Vologda - New Year Capital of Russia". This painting will be exhibited in the Regional Art Gallery and subsequently sold at a charity auction.

Several minutes before the end of the year, Vologda Oblast Governor Oleg Kuvshinnikov made his final speech addressing the residents of the region, remembering the main events of the year and talking of prospects for the coming year.

In the evening at the Revolution Square the celebrations wound up with lighting up the first Christmas tree and a unique light show in the heart of Vologda.

During New Year holidays over 42,000 people visited Christmas fair at the Revolution Square. Cultural programs of the Museum of Ethnography and Architecture in the settlement of Semoynkovo were also popular with Vologda’s residents and guests to the city. Over 15,000 tourists headed to the Vologda State Museum-Preserve and its affiliates. About 10,000 people preferred to go in for sports.

Information of Vologda Oblast Official Website,
photo of Irina Sorokina
 

 



















































































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