Putin attends New Year tree party for children

Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended a New Year tree party for children held at the Kremlin Palace on Tuesday and wished them a Happy New Year.

The president appeared shortly before the New Year show began and sat down next to the children in the front row. Several minutes after the New Year party began Father Frost - host of the party, gave the floor to the president for his New Year message.

Putin told the children that he did not have as many presents for the children as Father Frost did. "Nonetheless, I have one present for all of you. We have a long- standing tradition that schoolchildren enjoy long winter vacations, but the tradition of celebrating the New Year and Christmas as a big family holiday has been lost. Beginning from January 1, 2005 the state will resume this good tradition. That means that you will be able to spend much more time with your parents and teach them good manners," the president joked.

"The New Year is the only holiday that is devoted to the future. This is the holiday of confident people who believe in future and people who are not only young by age, but have a young soul," Putin said.

After his New Year message for the children the president watched the New Year show for a while and then was photographed together with some of the guests.

The New Year party in the Kremlin is traditionally attended by children from all of Russia's federal districts - winners of different competitions and school contests, children from low- income families and orphans.

Source: Itar-Tass