Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has instructed the North Caucus republic's government to "import" snow into the capital of Grozny so that children could play in the snow for New Year's.
Earlier, Kadyrov instructed the republic's government officials "to take measures so that on New Year's snow would fall on the main square around the capital's holiday tree because it wouldn't be New Year's without snow."
The government made the decision to employ an artificial snow cannon that would blow snow onto the square from above, however, the cannon can only operate at freezing temperatures or below. In Grozny, the current temperature is 7 degrees Celsius (about 45 degrees Fahrenheit).
"Snow is being brought from Prielbrus (the foothills of Mt. Elbrus in Kabardino-Balkaria) because there is no snow in Chechnya's mountains; around 90 [dumptrucks] have already delivered snow," a press service spokesman for Grozny's Mayor's Office told RIA Novosti.
Besides the snow, the residents of Grozny will be entertained with a laser show and fireworks, as well as concerts and dances put on by Chechen performers.
According to the Mayor's Office, Grozny spent some 20 million rubles ($654,000) on New Year's celebrations.
GROZNY, December 31 (RIA Novosti)
