The unusual Father Frost with a rowing oar in his hands instead of a traditional staff will be seen by the residents and visitors of Kazan during the opening ceremony of the city’s main New Year’s tree of the capital of Tatarstan.

      The ceremony will be held in the Tysyacheletiya Park of Kazan on December 25; and the replacement of a staff by an oar is due to the fact that World Aquatics Championships will be held in Kazan in the coming year. The city authorities also report that one of the largest regional ice rinks in Russia will operate near the “Kazan-Arena” stadium, the area of ice making up more than 15 thousand sq. m. In addition, it is also planned to hold traditional holiday activities in various parts of the city, which will help to celebrate New Year in an exhilarated holiday mood. The working hours of passenger transport in Kazan on the New Year’s night will be extended until 2 a.m. for the convenience of the city residents.