YEREVAN. - Winter Festival Armenia 2011 kicked off in capital Yerevan on Saturday. And in an interview with news reporters, the event’s brainchild and organizer Raffi Niziblian noted that the Festival is being held for the fifth time. 

Children and fairy tale heroes, led by Santa Claus and the coming year’s symbol, the dragon, walked to Lovers’ Park, where a variety of events will be held until December 27.  

“Such festivals are held in many countries, and experience has shown that it helps develop tourism,” the event’s organizer said.

And the most anticipated event of Winter Festival Armenia 2011 will be the Santa Claus race, to be held on December 25 and 27, in which only those with Santa Claus costumes will compete, and the winner will receive an iPad.