"Chief" Father Frost with snow maiden arrive in Moscow

The "chief" Father Frost with his snow granddaughter have arrived in Moscow from Veliky Ustyug (a town in Northern Russia). On his way to Moscow he visited the old Russian towns of Totma, Vologda and Kostroma.

The 2003 New Year Express, which is a stage-like one carriage train, arrived at a fairy station called "New Year's Moscow," set up in Teatralnaya Square in the heart of the capital.

Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov with a cap and an arm-band on acting as fairy station master received the Head Father Frost.

After the traditional bread-and-salt welcome Father Frost and the Moscow Mayor lit up the New Year's trees in Teatralnaya Square. The ceremony was followed by a New Year show. Snowmen, clowns, dressed up performers and characters from Russian fairy tales entertained the crowd.

Having launched the New Year celebrations in Moscow, Luzhkov and the "chief" Father Frost went cruising round the festive city in a cabriolet.

Later in the week, Father Frost and Snow Maiden will participate in New Year parties at Moscow kindergartens, schools and orphanages. On December 27th, the fairy couple are scheduled to visit the country's major New Year party in the Kremlin.

In previous years Moscow was Father Frost's last stop, but this year the scenario has been changed. On December 29th, Father Frost will leave for St Petersburg where he will see the New Year in. At night on December 31st, when the clock strikes midnight he will wish Happy New Year to Russia's northern capital which is turning 300 in 2003.