Among those who participated in the "Fate of Russia is in our hands!" meeting, which took place yesterday at the sports-complex "Subedei", was also sheep-herder Dukar-ool Maskyr-ool, who became famous throughout the country after his personal meeting with Vladimir Putin in one of remote taiga corners of Tuva in August of 2009. Federal media described the meeting in detail; about their conversation about life, about the herder offering tea to the premier, and about the present that Putin gave in return - a hunting knife to the herder, and a wristwatch to his son.

The Chief Administration of MChS(Emergency services) of Russia in Republic Tuva announced that according to data of Hydro-meteorological center of Tuva, the anomalous cold weather with air temperatures from42 to 47 degrees of cold (centigrade) in the republic and Kyzyl and -50 degree in some districts, will continue in the period from 31 January to 3 February.

Local weather forecasters are in no hurry to frighten the residents of the republic by 50-degree cold.

Yes, we were told by Tuvan Hydro-meteorologic service that we still have a full month of winter to look forward to, and it is senseless to try to predict just how far the temperatures will drop. The lowest temperature was registered in Shagonar - 47.2 degrees centigrade. As far as this week is concerned, our weather forecasters that the coldest night was on February 1 -2 at night. They promise lessening of the cold siege towards the end of the week.

An earthquake with 4.5 ball intensity of MSK-64 scale at the epicenter took place in Tuva on Wednesday, as announced on Thursday by press-service of regional administration of MChS RF.

'The epicenter of the earthquake is 33 km north-east of Saryg-Sep of Kaa-Khem district, and was felt as 3.4 balls in MSK-64 scale in inhabited areas," - the announcement stated.

"Aftershock seismic event was registered on 1 February 2012 at 12:37", says the press-release.

This year on January 31, Nadia Rusheva would have turned 60.

On January 1, a winter trail census of  members of animal world began.

Animals and birds are subjected to this census who are parts of the hunting industry as well as those who are not. Teams of  census workers numbering from 15 to 40 people have been formed in each district. Side by side with inspectors of  the State Commission, staff from specially protected natural territories, OOO "Tuvresokhotrybolovoshchestvo", Todzha cooperative-industrial farm, and experienced amateur hunters have been recruited for this project.

By the early January, the expenditure of animal feeds was 1179 tons. 5027 tons are still available, which will allow the wintering to proceed without problems. By 10 February, representatives from reindeer-herding groups will be coming to the district center to participate in the annual holiday - festival of Todzha reindeer herders, as the zoo-technician of the farming administration, of Todzha, Oksana Lopsan announced.

January, 26, at 14:00 TV channel "Kultura" will show as part of the cycle "Provincial Museums of Russia"(artistic director - Alla Surikova), a film about the main keeper of Tuvan history. The TV project about museums of Russia has been realized since 1999 by Pozitiv-film studio with financial support of Federal Agency for culture and Cinematography and Federal Agency for press and mass Communications.

The author of the Tuva series is Vladimir Kopush. The filming took place with the support of Government of Tuva.

At the headquarters of Russian Geographic Society in Sankt-Peterburg,  the opening of exhibition "Treasures of Tuva" took place, dedicated to 90^th anniversary of Tuvan People's republic. It was organized by Russian geographic Society and Institute of history of material culture of Russian Academy of Sciences.

Acting for Russian Geographic Society, the vice-president of the Society, head of department of regional economics and nature utilization, department of natural sciences, regional science, information, tourism and mathematical methods of Sankt-Peterburg State University of economy and finance, Vladimir Razumovskiy opened the exhibition.

USK "Subedei" turned into a huge New Year fair, where local entrepreneurs presented their products. The "General rehearsal" took place last night. An exhibition - fair of souvenirs by Tuvan artisans opened at the National Museum of Tuva.

'Who became related to the Taiga in the mountains".

Oyun Ayan was born and lived away from Tuva, and was brought up at a boarding school. He returned to Tuva only to avoid going to the army. The chief directions of his work are graphics, photography, polygraphs. He worked out his own style, and presented engravings and posters at the fair.