Merry Merry

This year, we spent Christmas in Chicago (which is so lovely there's even a song about it). Driving in from the airport, I was impressed with the holiday decorations, and for some reason I thought of Moscow - another city administered by a politician who is self-enriching but beloved by city residents. The Christmas decorations in Moscow are truly spectacular, I have no idea what they've done this year, but here are a few photos from 2005 (there are a few more in this photoset):

On Kutuzovsky Pr-t.


Pushkin Square (on the southwest side
of Tverskaya, where the McD's is).

Mayakovsky Square, with a "Liberte" sticker that looked to me like it was done in holiday colors.

Pushkin Square, the Rossiia movie theater, and
Aleksandr Sergeevich himself.

Across the street from Luzhkov's office - Yuri Dolgoruky
dressed up like Santa (see this interesting article from a couple
of years ago about the Santa/Ded Moroz distinction as part of
the cola wars between Coke and Pepsi).

Best holiday wishes to everyone!