Kysh Babai meets Father Frost

Russia’s main Father Frost, from Veliky Ustyug, visited his counterpart in Tatarstan, Kysh Babai, in his residence in the village of Yana-Kyrlai.

Father Frost was given a traditional Russian bread-and-salt welcome.

Kysh Babai and his granddaughter Kar Kyzy waited in their residence for Father Frost to arrive.

Father Frost and Kysh Babai talked a bit and came to the conclusion that all children – whether they live in Moscow or Kazan – only want computers for New Year’s.

Kysh Babai and Kar-Kyzy live in a spruce forest on the bank of the Iya River, 60 km from Kazan. Kysh Babai has lived there since 2009, according to Kazan’s tourist information center. Last year over 1,000 tourists from all corners of Russia and neighboring countries visited Kysh Babai’s residence.

A children’s ensemble performed especially for Father Frost in the village of Yana-Kyrlai.

Russia’s Father Frost talking to children.

Kysh-Babai, like Father Frost, gets thousands of letters.

Father Frost and Kar-Kyzy.