Father Frost, 1

 
 
 

Vocabulary

gather	analogue	counterpart
union	residence	equivalent
official	colleague	all year round
holiday	New Year	present (2)
season	invitation	post office
funny	mean (2)	workshop (2)
dessert	especially	cold/colder/coldest
fun	souvenir	hometown
mostly	fairy tale	idea behind
activity	transfer	right-hand man
dozens	deserted	light/lit/lit
magic	staff (2)	square (2)
thus	kick off	festive season

 
 
 
 
 

Video One

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Veliky Ustyug is the residence of Ded Moroz, a Russian counterpart of Santa Claus. There are equivalents of Ded Moroz all over the former USSR.

Today they all have gathered in Veliky Ustyug to greet their famous Russian colleague.

The official residence of Ded Moroz welcomes visitors all year round, but naturally it is especially popular during the New Year’s holiday season.

The residence has a throne hall, a museum, a workshop, a post office, and a souvenir shop.

“I’m from Udmurtia. My name is Too Babay, which means Father Frost.

Every year, Ded Moroz sends me an invitation to come here. He is a good friend of mine, and I visit him with a lot of presents.”

Even on the coldest winter days, the residence of Ded Moroz is not deserted. Hundreds of children come to play.

Visiting the residence can be fun for adults as well, mostly because the idea behind it is to recreate a fairy tale.

Day trips, including all meals, transfers and activities cost about $150.

I am Snegurochka, Ded Moroz’s granddaughter and his right-hand girl. But I live in another city, Kostroma, which is my hometown.

In the last seven years, the post office in Veliky Ustyug has received approximately two million letters from Russian children for Ded Moroz.

Ded Moroz lit the lights on the Christmas tree in Veliky Ustyug’s main square with his magic staff, thus kicking off the festive season.

 

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Questions

1. Veliky Ustyug is in Canada. True or false? Where is Veliky Ustyug? Is the town famous? Why is it famous? What does this village have?

2. Who is Ded Moroz? Ded Moroz is . . . . .

3. In the coldest days of winter, does everyone stay at home and sit by the fire? Can people only visit Father Frost in New Years and Christmas?

4. There is only one Grandfather Christmas. Is this right or wrong? Does Ded Moroz have any friends? Who is Too Babay?

5. Do only children visit Veliky Ustyug?

6. Father Frost works alone. Is this correct or incorrect?

7. What does the video say about Father Frost’s post office?

8. What did Father Frost do in the end?
 
 

A. Is there a Father Frost or Santa Claus in your city? Describe Father Frost or Santa Claus.

B. There is a Santa-like character in our traditional folklore. Yes or no?

C. My friends and I have visited Father Frost Village. Yes or no? Are there Santa Villages, Christmas Markets or Christmas decorations in your city or country?

D. What do you wish Santa will give you?

E. What will happen in the future?