The government invites Kirov residents and visitors to the city to "knead" the snow.

      According to the government of Kirov Oblast, the director of the region’s Tourism Development Center, Alexey Cheptsov, noted that the creation of the route was a response to growing tourist interest in the region. It is probably also an attempt to show that the city can delight its visitors — though only along the route and only where there were funds to do so.

      The walk begins at Theatre Square. It has everything a main square should have in December: a Christmas tree, light installations, and a market. But if you look down at your feet, the festive mood quickly gives way to a fight for survival. Impassable masses of snow noticeably spoil the impression and make getting around the square seriously difficult, as we have noted before. The rest of the city, incidentally, remains ordinary for now, without many signs of a winter fairy tale.

      The route then leads to the pedestrian Spasskaya Street, where anyone can feel like a participant in a Festival of Spruces. “Vyatsky Arbat,” as the street is sometimes called within the walls of the gray building, is initially mesmerizing with its lights. But the first impression quickly fades: what remains are sparsely and rather oddly decorated, half-bare firs that barely qualify as festive symbols.

      The next stop is Spasskaya Square, which is essentially just a patch of asphalt decorated with the art object “Gates of the Russian North.” They look impressive and luxurious if viewed from the right angle — preferably with one eye closed. Better yet, both.

      Grin Embankment and Alexandrovsky Garden turned out to be the most picturesque stops on the route. Here you can really take a peaceful walk and look at the panoramas of the Vyatka River. Alexandrovsky Garden, if only for a short while, allows you to forget that you are in a city where festive lighting is absent.

      The stop called “Alexander Nevsky Square,” which in no way fits the notion of “festive,” surprised by its inclusion on the list. A lonely Christmas tree in the far corner of the square, decorated with a garland and snowflakes, creates no magic. At best it serves as a reminder that New Year is still near.

      Kirov Park may surprise visitors, especially those from Moscow and St. Petersburg, if only with the abundance of snow. And garlands too — you can’t have it without them.

      Fans of the “winter fairy tale outside the city” are offered trips to Poroshino and the village of Velikoretskoye. True, festive lighting there is not guaranteed. What is guaranteed, however, is nature, trails, skis, and silence.

      Details and photographs of all the route points are available on the website turkirov.rf. So if you want to see a festive Kirov without the surprise of ordinary streets, it’s best to stick strictly to the route and not stray. And, just in case — close your eyes between stops. Otherwise you risk running into reality.