- Title: Muscovites mark muted New Year without fireworks, hope for peace
- Date: 31st December 2022
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 31, 2022) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN MOSCOW'S CENTRE / CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATION ON TREE PEOPLE NEAR CHRISTMAS TREES VARIOUS OF DECORATED SHOPPING CENTRE VARIOUS OF MAN PLAYING DRUMS, PEOPLE WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ALEXANDER TSVETOV SAYING: "We hope that there will be a predictable year, we hope there will be world peace, as strange as it may sound in such a situation. We hope that people will be happy, in each side of this conflict and there will be peace." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, TATYANA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING: "In 2023, I hope for world peace, clear skies, happiness and health for everyone." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ELENA POPOVA, 68, SAYING: "I am sure that those, to put it mildly, unexpected, harsh, aggressive events will tone down. There will be a turn for the better for sure." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, LYUDMILA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING: "As for me, the main thing is that everyone around me to be alive and healthy and things are fine. So, we move to 2023. I would like to wish everyone good health, peace, love, kindness." POLICE SQUAD WALKING PAST (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ALEXANDER TSVETOV SAYING: "It does not matter at all. Celebration is a celebration, it does not depend on fireworks." VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ELENA POPOVA, 68, SAYING: "(Cancelling fireworks) is a solidarity act with what is going on now. One should not pretend that nothing is happening. Our people die there. A celebration goes on, but there must be limits." CHRISTMAS TREE PEOPLE IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, TATYANA (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING: "On one side, I want to believe in a miracle and enjoy this environment (fireworks), but I understand that the guys work laboriously there. So, spiritually we're with them and we support them." BOLSHOI THEATRE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN STREETS TRAFFIC
- Embargoed: 14th January 2023 18:41
- Keywords: MOSCOW NEW YEAR PEOPLE RUSSIA UKRAINE
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001974231122022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: People in the centre of Moscow prepared late on Saturday (December 31) to mark a somewhat muted New Year's Eve without the usual fireworks and celebrations on Red Square, with many saying they wanted peace in 2023.
Authorities closed off the famous cobbled square in the heart of Moscow, citing restrictions to fight COVID-19, and increased the number of police in nearby side streets.
New Year's Day is Russia's main seasonal holiday, while Orthodox believers also celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7.
"We hope there will be world peace, as strange as it may sound in such a situation," said Moscow resident Alexander Tsvetov.
"We hope that people will be happy, on each side of this conflict, and there will be peace," he continued, in a reference to what President Vladimir Putin calls the 10-month "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Deprived of the chance to gather in Red Square and watch a traditional New Year's Eve firework display, people walked along the wet streets, looking at Christmas markets, brightly lit storefront displays and trees set up with baubles.
New laws adopted in March prescribe fines and jail terms for discrediting or spreading "deliberately false information" about the armed forces.
"I am sure that those very - to put it mildly - unexpected, harsh, aggressive events, will surely moderate. Next year there will be a turn for the better, for sure," predicted 68-year-old Yelena Popova.
The cancelled fireworks display, she said, was an act of solidarity with what was happening in Ukraine.
"One should not pretend that nothing is happening - our people are dying there. A holiday is being celebrated, but there must be limits," she said.
Tatyana, a woman who did not give her full name, said she hoped for "world peace, clear skies, happiness and health for everyone."
Russian troops were undoubtedly having a hard time "so spiritually we are supporting them," she said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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