Grandpa Treskun and Shishka arrived in Kirov.

      The Father Frost Train has returned to Kirov, and everything inside seemed frozen in time — the same program, the same characters, the same route from car to car, familiar to children from previous years. But despite the sense of repetition, the kids went inside as if entering a fairy tale for the first time.

      Car by car — chapters of a New Year’s story

      First we were admitted into the car where Shurshik the pinecone lives. Inside — lots of greenery and needles, as if you’ve stepped straight into a forest. The children came to life; some tried to tease the fairy-tale conductor, some were shyly silent, but almost all earnestly solved the riddles. There was hardly any time for chatter — the way forward was blocked by a small gate.

      Beyond it begins Ded Treskun’s “ice kingdom.” The walls were decorated as if you were inside a huge snowy cave. After the children completed another task, Treskun snapped his fingers — the lights flared up, and the group moved on with a new clue in their pocket.

      The next part of the car looked like a village hut. Aunt Aushka lives here. Dried flowers, baranki, baskets, pinecones — it felt like you’d landed in a fairy grandmother’s attic. The children gathered the pieces of the puzzle obtained from Shurshik and Treskun to assemble the “spell” and open the door to the most important guest.

      In Father Frost’s car — weary wonders

      The door opened — and we found ourselves before Father Frost and the Snow Maiden. The car was decorated with children’s letters, drawings and toys, and a Christmas tree stood inside.

      The wizard himself, to be honest, looked tired — you could tell he’d been traveling from town to town for more than a week. But he patiently listened to the children’s poems, congratulated them, asked them to make a wish and touch his staff. They say wishes come true that way.

      After photos and gifts everyone was handed over to the tiger conductor, and he led the group to the dining car: tea, gingerbread cookies, postcards. The little tiger asked the children questions and tried to keep the mood festive. At the exit everyone was met with a ritual “High five!” — and the program ended.

      At the same time there were no crowds on the platform, but there were plenty of people. Some had simply come to watch without buying tickets. A snowman with a microphone walked along the platform — entertaining those waiting their turn.