A festival from Russia’s Far North has made its way to Moscow. Hundreds of people from the country’s Yakutia region have joined local residents to mark the traditional festival called “Ysseyah”.

It may be the middle of June, but for thousands of Russians it's just the start of a new year. The festival marks the time when the old winter season gives way to the new beginnings of spring and summer.

“It’s a traditional national holiday for our people – we are seeing a new year in. It marks the end of hard winter, and summer toil. This is the end of the year. We begin our rest. A new year sets in from June 22, unlike in the rest of the world. Simply because nature begins a new life, everything around blossoms,” said Algyschyt, a Yakut elder.

Russians of all ethnic backgrounds are joining in the fun. The festival is a mixture of religious and secular events.  The ceremony begins with offerings of fermented horse milk to the Yakut gods and prayers for a good harvest. But it’s also a chance for people to experience a traditional concert, see regional arts-and-crafts and make their own prayers for the future.