Kursk authorities have reduced the budget for New Year decorations by 2.6 million rubles following criticism from local residents, the city administration’s press office reported on November 28.
Initially, the authorities planned to allocate about 12 million rubles for purchasing new decorations and repairing old ones. The revised budget now stands at 9.4 million rubles.
"The saved funds will be directed toward supporting internally displaced persons from border districts and soldiers involved in the special military operation," the City Hall stated.
This decision came after Kursk residents criticized the significant New Year expenses on social media, highlighting that "every family is grieving." Some residents suggested reallocating the funds to assist refugees and military personnel instead.
On November 28, Kursk residents collectively opposed the planned 12.1 million ruble expenditure on holiday decorations. The city had planned to install LED displays, a one-story Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) house, and photo zones, in addition to repairing damaged installations.