MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Fireworks and mass outdoor celebrations will not be held in Moscow during the New Year’s festive period, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin wrote in his blog on Friday.

"We consider it prudent to refrain from holding fireworks displays and big outdoor concerts this year. However, Moscow will celebrate the holidays as bright and embellished as befits our beloved city," he wrote.

Sobyanin said that the celebrations would be dedicated to participants of the special military operation and employees of the defense industry. He added that humanitarian aid would be collected in numerous parks and festival venues in Moscow.

"Events for families of drafted Moscow residents will be organized at festival venues," he announced.

According to the mayor, "children will also be able to use the Father Frost’s mail to send greeting cards to our soldiers and to residents of new regions." In addition, parks, skating rinks and festival venues ‘Journey to Christmas’ will open their doors to everyone during the festive period.

Moscow residents decide

On Wednesday, the Moscow mayor suggested that city residents vote on the Active Citizen online portal on how the capital should mark the New Year festivities. The voting garnered huge interest in the city, as about 300,000 people expressed their opinion, which was very clear and consolidated.

"During the voting, more than 80% of respondents supported the idea of New Year celebrations and the city’s festive decoration," Sobyanin wrote in his blog on Friday.

The mayor explained that 29% of voters supported the familiar festive activities, whereas 52% proposed to refrain from mass outdoor concerts.

"Thank you, friends, for the enthusiastic response. Your decision will be brought to life," the mayor added.

In the wake of the partial mobilization, at least 15 Russian regions had earlier decided to curtail or to completely cancel celebrations in their cities and towns, redirecting funds for support of draftees and their families, the regional authorities said. Some of them will not have festive city lighting and firework displays, but will still hold social activities, such as New Year’s concerts for children.