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Pay a visit to Grandfather Frost
13.01.2010 08:59
The Moscow News N 50/29 December-18 January
28/12/2009
by Anna Laletina
Moscow Residence of Ded Moroz, Volgogradsky Prospekt, property 168D, 657 6052, http://dedmoroz.uvao.ru
Take the metro to m. Kuzminki then bus No. 169 or marshrutka 529M to the stop called "Gospital Veteranov Voin No. 2" ("War Veterans' Hospital No. 2"); or m. Vykhino then bus No. 209 to the last stop, "138th kvartal of Kuzminki".
Even on the coldest winter days, the Moscow residence of Ded Moroz isn't deserted. Children come to play and to see the main magician of New Year's in Russia, Ded Moroz.
Although Ded Moroz's main residence is situated in the northern town of Veliky Ustyug, he often comes to Moscow's Kuzminki Park where he has a house in traditional "terem" style. It was built six years ago along with the terem house of his granddaughter and companion, Snegurochka the Snow Maiden.
Visiting the residence can be fun for adults as well, mostly because the idea behind it is to recreate a fairy tale - and fairy tale elements are recognised and loved not only by children.
This place resembles a theme park in an Old Russian style. Besides the houses of the main New Year's holiday characters, there are slides, a skating rink, a theatre and other fun objects.
In the house of Ded Moroz, you can see his bedroom and dining room, his magical staff and other attributes of his power - not to mention having an opportunity to meet Ded Moroz in person.
Snegurochka's separate house has a traditional Russian stove, a magical mirror and other fancy things which she will tell you about. On the second floor is a peculiar exhibition of New Year's trees decorated in the styles of different epochs. To view tree decorations as a reflection of time is an interesting way to learn about history, and children tend to like it.
Visiting the post office of Ded Moroz, where all the children's requests are gathered and read, is exciting as well.
"We get letters from all over the world," said Ded Moroz's mail keeper, Galina Lyubimova. "Of course the majority of mail comes from Russia, especially from Moscow and the Moscow region. But lots of people from the provinces also write to Ded Moroz and hope he will drop them a few lines in reply. Last year we got more than 20,000 letters, 15,000 of which were answered. The rest of them simply didn't have a return address.
"At times children even ask Ded Moroz for something on behalf of their parents," she added, "for example, for an apartment or a car."
It's possible to take a Russian-language tour that includes a visit of all the main buildings in Ded Moroz's residence.
The tours last for about an hour and are designed for groups.
Tickets can be purchased in advance if you are buying them for an organised group (adults 100 roubles, children 50 roubles), or on the spot if you are coming on your own (adults 200 roubles, children 100 roubles).
The tour is guided by Ded Moroz's helpers.
The residence welcomes visitors all year around, but naturally it's especially popular during the New Year's holiday season.
Visitors come from far and wide - France, Germany, Japan, China - and recently there was one very special guest, Norwegian Father Frost with his retinue.
There are stands that sell pancakes and pretzels outside the complex, but lines tend to get extremely long, especially during weekends.
Here's a secret: there is a cafe inside of one of the terem houses (the Terem Tvorchestva), but for some reason people don't know about it and end up cold and hungry. To be on the safe side, rug up well and bring a snack and a thermos.
Special events dedicated to New Year's celebrations run from December 25 to January 10.
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