The project «Veliky Ustyug – Hometown of Ded Moroz» is included into the Strategy for Socio-Economic Development of Vologda Region until 2030. This decision was taken at a meeting of the local government chaired by Governor Oleg Kuvshinnikov.
Vologda’s Governor Oleg Kuvhinnikov noted that tourism sector is one of the main objectives of the local government to turn Veliky Ustyug into one of Russia’s largest tourism centres, a year-round destination, a magnet for tourists.
The project «Veliky Ustyug – Hometown of the Russian Ded Moroz» was initiated in 1998. The main objective of the project is to acquaint the younger generation with the Russian national traditions and the culture of the Russian North as well as to attract Russian and foreign tourists to Veliky Ustyug. Ded Moroz holds court at his castle, a strict gentleman in a Russian troika, a three-horse drawn sleigh. This character is straigt out of Russian folklore.
The interest in the project especially increased during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi in 2014 when a residence of Russian Ded Moroz was opened there. There residents and guests to the Sochi Olympic Games 2014 were able to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of Russian regions. During the Winter Olympic Games 2014 Ded Moroz personally entertained guests in his southern residence and communicated with children and their parents. In his residence in Sochi the main holiday season miracle-maker provided visitors with a taste of the unique atmosphere, culture, traditions and handicrafts of the Vologda Region.
Russian Ded Moroz from Veliky Ustyug was recognized as the official Ded Moroz of the Sochi Winter Olympics. His residence was moved to the Vologda Region as soon as the XXI Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi were over.
Ded Moroz lives in his wooden palace in the pine forests at Votchina 15 km off the town of Veliky Ustyug on the bank of the Sukhona River. His residence includes not only the house of Ded Moroz, but also comfortable cottages made of wood, a restaurant, a recreation centre with a sauna, a swimming pool and a billiard room. Here one can find a wide range of sports facilities such as skis, sledges, boats, fishing-rods, ets. These facilities are spread throughout the territory and include sports to suit every taste. One can ride a horse, sing and dance in a ring or take part in special competitions.
Vologda Oblast Governor underlined that our strategic goal is to increase the flow of tourists to Veliky Ustyug up to 650,000 people a year.
Теги: Veliky Ustyug, Ded Moroz