Parade of Santa Clauses and Snow Maidens was held on Manhattan. A PHOTO. VIDEO

The Parade of Father Frosts and Snow Maidens took place for the fifth year in a row on Sunday through the central district of New York - Manhattan. Over 100 compatriots took part in the procession, рассказал TASS correspondent Igor Kochan is the head of the Russian Youth of America society, which organized the parade.

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Santa Clauses and Snow Maidens of all ages started from the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas on 97th Street, then traveled several blocks in the underground subway, visited Bryant Park and gathered in the city's main square, Times Square. During the procession, New Year's and Russian folk songs were sung, and parade participants danced and danced in circles.

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

"Handsome and Respectable Santa"

Along the entire route, Father Frosts and Snow Maidens congratulated passers-by on the upcoming holidays, gave them New Year's souvenirs from Russia, including chocolates "Kara-Kum", "Alenka", "Bear in the North", "Cow" and others, and also told , how Santa Claus differs from the more familiar Santa Claus in the United States.

“As a rule, Americans, when they see our Father Frost, mistake him for Santa, but only a handsome, respectable and glamorous one,” explained Igor Kochan. “We explain what the difference is - both in the costume, appearance, and in the fairy-tale legend, and they are very willing to take pictures with us and learn phrases in Russian.”

New Yorkers Debbie and Bruce were pleasantly surprised to see such a massive gathering of what they told a TASS correspondent were “Russian Santas.”

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

“My wife and I were walking through Times Square and suddenly we noticed such a colorful sight. One of the Snow Maidens told us how the New Year is celebrated in Russia and how Father Frost relates to it. Just a new planet had opened up for us - we knew nothing about such a Russian tradition, and besides, personally, I’m just happy to see so many beautiful Russian girls in one place, and even in New York,” noted Bruce. He also asked whether among the parade participants there are more important characters than others, whether the length of Father Frost’s beard or the presence of the Snow Maiden’s crown depends on this, and whether they are united by similar political views.

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Russian culture in New York

“In general, we consider our procession not only exclusively New Year’s, but also socio-cultural,” said Igor Kochan. “The fact is that in Russia, for example, everyone knows perfectly well who Santa Claus is, where he lives, what he travels on, what date he gives children souvenirs, and what song is considered the main song among Americans at Christmas. At the same time, for example, in New York, where more than 300 thousand compatriots live, few people know about the Russian New Year, its attributes, and no one will sing “Christmas Tree” to you. In this way, we are trying to bring and spread Russian culture to the city, to introduce New Yorkers to our traditions and songs, because the parade participants sing and dance, thereby attracting the attention and great interest of others.”

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

According to him, the procession was coordinated with local authorities - the New York Police Department. “Since we have been holding the parade for several years, the city authorities already know us very well, remember us and even wait for us, and issue permission for it without any problems,” he noted. Igor Kochan assured that the action is carried out exclusively at the expense of the personal funds of its participants.

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

Photo: Facebook / Russian Youth of America

At the end of the procession, Father Frosts and Snow Maidens went to congratulate Soviet veterans living in nursing homes or left without relatives on the upcoming holidays. “They are really looking forward to us these days; veterans need such attention, especially from us, the “fairy-tale heroes” whom they remember from their childhood,” noted Igor Kochan. “And it seems to us that within a few minutes they experience the same feelings and emotions that children experienced during the New Year holidays.”