(Source: http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/42427)

The competition of wooden sculptures started in anticipation of the opening of the Primorye residence of Father Frost.

The best and the most creative products will be presented near the residence which will start to work in Arsenyevo on the basis of the “Salyut” recreation centre this winter. As the head of the methodical department of the Primorye regional centre of folk culture Ilya Fedorov said, the fairy-tale topic for the works is already chosen.

“They are divided into three categories. The first one includes the characters of Russian fairy tales. These are Father Frost, Snow Maiden, and the trio of true friends - spotted deer, Amur tiger and Amur leopard. The second is category is Russian sledges, and the third one includes Russian household items. These items can be represented, for example, by a beautiful painted wooden spoon or a carved wagon wheel. The fantasy of authors is almost unlimited here” - he stressed.

The organizing committee will select the winner. The opening of the sports and entertainment complex “The Primorye Residence of Father Frost” is scheduled for December 1. After that fairy-tale characters will communicate with the visitors and residents of the region all year round.

The project “the residence of Father Frost in your city” is aimed to popularize and promote the “Grandfather Frost” brand in all regions of Russia, organize unique memorable holiday on the streets, greeting Father Frost - a holiday that begins long before his arrival, and begins after it.

The main idea of the project is to create during the winter holidays unique public areas designed in traditional Russian style, with recognizable patterns of Father Frost and intended for the personal meetings of the residents with the main character of the New Year. 

In Russia, Santa Claus is known as Father Frost. He is usually illustrated with his granddaughter, the snow maiden, Snegurochka riding with an evergreen tree and presents in a traditional Russian troika. The original Russian gift-giver was Saint Nicholas, the country's Patron Saint, whose Feast Day is celebrated on December 6th. In the late 1900s, Ded Moroz (pronounced as "Dead Morose"), meaning Father or Grandfather Frost, surfaced in Russia as one of the most modern gift-givers of Europe. Usually appearing as a tall, thin man with a long white beard, he often wore flowing robes of blue and white. He was said to have lived in the Russian woods and journeyed in a "troika," or sleigh drawn by three horses abreast.