Grandfather Frost (The Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, also referred to as Ded Moroz) is setting out his traditional journey according to the government of the Vologda region. This all begins on Friday, November 21st. The program for Grandfather Frost’s trip is aimed at preserving Russian traditions among the next generations of Russian emigrants from our country. That is to say he wants to keep the flame of Russian culture alive in the hearts of children who spend most of their time in foreign cultures. The event was organized by the regional government within the framework of international humanitarian cooperation with the support of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Rossotrudnichestvo organization.

Ded Moroz will visit thirteen countries. He will meet with young residents of China, India, Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Armenia and Belarus. The young guests will be invited to the embassies and representative offices of Rossotrudnichestvo where they can meet the magical gift-giver themselves. An important part of the winter wizard’s journey from Veliky Ustyug (the town where Russians believe Grandfather Frost resides) will be visiting children’s hospitals and rehabilitation centers to spend time with those unable to make the trip to the embassy.

The world famous Ded Moroz’s first destination will be vibrant and super-developed China, where he will light New Year’s trees in the great cities of Beijing and Shenyang. The final destination for his trip will be the grand historic city of Minsk, where he will arrive on December 24.

As Russian World (Russkiy Mir) reported, last year more than fifteen thousand children took part in these celebrations with Ded Moroz across the planet.

The Russian wonder-worker got acquainted with children from orphanages and visited those in medical centers. He wished a big ‘Happy New Year’ to all the young compatriots and schoolchildren who are studying the Russian language, and presented them with gifts.