The main Christmas tree of the Belarusian city of Vitebsk was lit in the evening on 23 December.
The lighting ceremony was preceded by a parade of Fathers Frost and Snow Maidens from Lenina Street to Pobedy (Victory) Square. The festive procession was led by an orchestra of Fathers Frost.
Partaking in the celebrations were over 500 Fathers Frost, more than 500 Snow Maidens, and some 750 fairy-tale and mythology characters, forest animals and other magical folk.
Photos by Alexander Khitrov.
