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Winter capital of Russia
According to the Yakut legend, the Great Bull of Winter Chyskhaan fell in love with Cholbon Kuo and followed her to the high endless sky. And the Earth calmed down in anticipation of a great miracle, birth of a new life and advent of the new year. However, as soon as the sun warmed the Earth, the first horn and then the second one fell from the Great Bull. Chyskhaan melted. And only the icy wind, flying past, whispered to beautiful Cholbon Kuo: " Sweetheart, see you next winter!" Then Cholbon Kuo turned into a bright morning star, the patroness of lovers (they call her the Maiden Star). Since then she has been waiting for him to return every year, and every time he returns to her in autumn.
Yakuts imagine a spirit of cold in the form of a semi-bull for a reason. Frozen bones and tusks of mammoths have been found in these places since old times. Previously, they were mistaken for the horns of a huge fairy bull. And since they were found more often in the spring, it was believed that the heat killed the bull. Therefore, the bull is a symbol of cold.
The history of the appearance of the modern image of the Yakut lord of cold has begun relatively recently - in the 1990s. Chyskhaan's statuette was created at the "Creating the Symbol of the Pole of Cold" Contest by a resident of Oimyakonsky District Semyon Sivtsov.

The costume of the modern Chyskhaan was created in 2002 by the Yakut fashion designer Avgustina Filippova. It consists of a caftan and a breast collar decorated with traditional Evenk and Yakut ornaments, as well as a cap with huge horns.
Each year, Father Frost arrives to Yakutsk from Veliky Ustyug to receive the symbol of cold from Chyskhaan and pass the New Year tree lighting relay to other cities of Russia.
Each year, Father Frost arrives to Yakutsk from Veliky Ustyug to receive the symbol of cold from Chyskhaan and pass the New Year tree lighting relay to other cities of Russia.
The lighting of the New Year tree is always considered the central event of the "Winter Starts in Yakutia" Festival.
The lighting of the New Year tree is always considered the central event of the "Winter Starts in Yakutia" Festival.
Construction of 20-meters tall trees on the squares of Yakutsk begins in mid-November. This is also a very interesting process and attracts the attention of many citizens. First, an iron cone-shaped frame is installed on a square, and then green branches are attached to a tree's rims. Earlier, live pines were cut down especially for the city fir, but now the city administration bought artificial branches for this purpose. So, according to environmentalists and compassionate citizens, it is much more ethical now.
The ceremony begins exactly at 16:00, Yakut time, on December 1. On the appointed day, people gather around the New Year tree. The event turns into a wide fair: songs, dances, food and fun.
The ceremony begins exactly at 16:00, Yakut time, on December 1. On the appointed day, people gather around the New Year tree. The event turns into a wide fair: songs, dances, food and fun.
Longrid prepared by:
 Sardaana Syromyatnikova
Maria Udovkina
Maria Nikitina

Translated:
Savina Danilova

Photo:
 Vasily Vinokurov
Yakutsk.rf
yakutiamedia.ru

Video:
"Most Media" Children's TV Studio

Technical implementation:
Advexus Agency
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