Penza, 1 January 2016. PenzaNews. The 18th residential block of Zarechny city in the Penza region has begun the local bandy tournament, with players wearing valenki (Russian felt boots) instead of ice skates, on Friday, January 1.

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The Zarechny city administration head Vyacheslav Gladkov shared his impressions of the match in his LiveJournal account.

“Just played a valenki bandy match. Mostly fathers with children. It was a barrel of positive emotions,” the mayor wrote.

He added that he considers the morning well spent and does not envy those who began the year of 2016 in front of a TV.

“The weather’s incredible! Take the skates, the skis, the hockey sticks. Go outside!” Vyacheslav Gladkov urged the citizens of Zarechny.

The next matches of the tournament are scheduled to take place in the morning of January 2.