he refusal to decorate Taganrog's New Year's buildings sparked a debate on social media

Taganrog authorities have abandoned the purchase of New Year's displays and called on businesses to decorate their facades and shop windows for the holidays. Some Telegram users praised the mayor's decision, while others criticized it.

As the " Caucasian Knot " reported , during the first year of the military operation in Ukraine, authorities in most regions of southern Russia cancelled mass New Year's celebrations, with the exception of festive events for children. Specifically, this decision was made by Vasily Golubev , then governor of the Rostov Region. He added at the time that city and district heads should not spend "a single kopeck" of budget funds on purchasing New Year's decorations.

Taganrog Mayor Svetlana Kambulova posted an address to city residents today on her Telegram channel. "This year, we decided not to purchase new installations or decorations. These are challenging times, requiring a prudent approach to spending funds," she wrote.

The official also called on "all city entrepreneurs" to create a festive atmosphere around their establishments. "Our industrial enterprises, retail businesses, food service and service providers, and social institutions are adept at creating such a festive atmosphere around their facilities. I believe that this year, too, everyone will complete the New Year's decorations not only for their interiors, retail spaces, and storefronts, but also for the surrounding area. I express my gratitude to those organizations that have already taken the initiative and decorated the facades of their buildings," Kambulova wrote, illustrating the post with several photographs of the New Year's decorations on the facades and entrances of commercial properties.

As of 12:55 PM Moscow time, 43 comments had been posted under the post. Some of them supported the mayor. "A sensible decision," wrote Bat Kate , among others . "A sensible decision," also commented Lyuba Lyubanya . "I agree," noted 17641. "Why buy things if they're left over from last New Year's? That's what smart people do," wrote Nellya Shvedova .

"Svetlana Anatolyevna, we're not in the city center, but we also decorated our office in Russian style! All the decorations were handmade," Nika Gnevina told the mayor .

Other commenters criticized the mayor's initiative. "Business as usual! Are these difficult times only in Taganrog? […] Children see only the grayness and squalor of our city. It's not even decorated on holidays," Oks complained .

Don't skimp on us! We need positive emotions!

"It's completely incomprehensible why you're skimping on the positive emotions of city residents. You're skimping on me. […] My children haven't seen any New Year's decorations in the city in years. It's a disgrace. I repeat, don't skimp on us! We need positive emotions!" she added in another comment.

"Our entire city is covered in dirt. Our 'economists' are 'saving' money on cleaning the city," Tatyana opined .

"I'd like […] the housing and utilities workers to at least clear the road and remove the piles of leaves before the New Year. Furthermore, entrepreneurs often don't clean the area around their premises. Some do, others don't. Where's the administration's work?" Larisa wrote .

"Why bother with money? That's not what the holiday is about," Maria Mikhalskaya commented . "What decorations? They could have at least swept it up! There's dirt everywhere!" Sergey protested .

"If you're not buying New Year's decorations, then maybe you could specify the amount you're saving and what you'll spend it on?" OO asked . "To patch up the budget, what else?" Natalia responded .