Press releases

BREST, 22 November (BelTA) – Every year Belarusian Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) living in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park receives about 17,000 letters from various countries, BelTA has learned from the tourism department of the national park.

The post is delivered to Belarusian Ded Moroz all the year round. During the warm season, the number of letters drops to increase again when the cold is back. In the run-up to New Year celebrations, Ded Moroz receives up to 2,000 letters a day. The bulk of them comes from Belarusians, however some letters arrive from faraway countries, like Japan, China, Pakistan and African states. “Live communication enthralls foreign tourists. After visiting us here, they send us letters later on,” Ded Moroz said.

No letter is left unanswered, provided the address of the sender is indicated right. According to Grandfather Frost, both children and adults believe in miracles. “Adults often ask to help resolve various issues. Letters from children are diverse. Many ask for a gift. However, some kids write letters to say thanks, tell about themselves and their families, good things they did and also attach photos and paintings,” he said.

The estate of Belarusian Ded Moroz in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha opened in December 2003. Since that time, the New Year character welcomed over 1.5 million tourists from 101 countries. A New Year objet d'art will be unveiled in the estate on 8 December during the celebrations of the 15^th anniversary of the estate. The program of the celebrations also features festivals of winter artisans, music performances, and a gala concert on the main stage of the estate. The celebrations will conclude with a ceremony to light up Belarus’ first New Year lights.

Taking part in the event will be fairytale characters from Belarus and abroad, like Glinyshek from Yaransk and Kysh Babai from Bashkortostan. “I am looking forward to this holiday. My good friends will come. Maybe, my colleague from Lithuania will also be here. There will be a parade of Ded Morozes. The program is diverse: many songs, jokes, tasty food. You will be most welcome here,” Belarusian Ded Moroz said.