Being Ded Moroz

Dec 30 2015

Ruslan Faizulin

Ilaria Kantorova

Daria Donina

Ded Moroz (or Father Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus) is the main fairy-tale character during the New Year holiday season in Russia. No one could imagine the celebration without Ded Moroz and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden). Doctors, bike-shop owners and a hip-hop singer share their experience of being the most famous New Year couple

They bring presents for children and put their parents in a festive mood on New Year’s Eve. Actors playing Ded Moroz and Snegurochka are in great demand over the holidays, which last until Russian Orthodox Christmas (celebrated on January 7) is over. Despite the opportunity to earn good money, the spirit of goodwill lives on with Ded Moroz. Some people even work for free.

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Doing it for the kids: Playing the role of Russia’s Santa Claus