• Russian Lermontov drama theatre
• The Abakan zoo
• The avenue of People's friendship
• Spaso-Preobrazhensky cathedral
• The puppet theatre "Fairytale"
• The landscaping park "Gardens of the Dream"

Russian Lermontov drama theatre

Russian Lermontov drama theatre represents traditions of Russian and world theatre culture. Its history began in 1939 when a group of actors moved to Abakan from Votkinsk. The theatre managed to won the love of spectators from the very beginning. Its first play was called "An optimistic tragedy" and had great success.

In 1941 the theatre was given the name of Lermontov to commemorate 100's anniversary of the famous Russian writer.

In 2005 it got the status of the state institution. Nowadays this theatre is the only one drama theatre for the whole territory of Khakasia.

The main conception of the theatre's repertoire is to preserve old performances and to create new. The repertoire includes Russian and foreign classic literature.

The troupe is always organized, responsible and carefully treats both old and modern cultural traditions.

The Abakan zoo

The Abakan zoo was founded in 1972. From that time the level of the zoo has greatly increased. In 2002 the zoo was accepted in the Eurasian regional association of zoos and aquariums. Now it is called "The centre of wild nature". It is also a nursery for rare and extinctive animals and birds.

There are 76 species of mammals, approximately 80 species of birds, 18 species of reptiles and two species of amphibian living on the territory of 5 hectares.

20 species of the Abakan zoo are included in the Red book of the Russian Federation. You can see here a Far East leopard, an Ussuri tiger, a dhole, a pallas' cat, a caracal and other rare animals.

"The centre of wild nature" plans to build a nursery for pets.

There are also a lot of exciting excursions held in the zoo during summer. Experienced guides will tell you about the life of the zoo animals.

The Abakan zoo is one of the favorite places of visiting by the citizens and by the guests of the city.

The avenue of People's friendship

If you enter Abakan city from Krasnoyarsk direction, you will be able to see the symbol of Khakasia - a stele named "Lora". This is a woman holding her hands up. She holds a cup in her right hand thus welcoming the guests of the city. There is an inscription "Abakan" above the woman.

The sculpture was created by Abakan's artists and made by the Krasnoyarsk sculptor Davydov. "Lora" is an unofficial name accepted by all the citizens. It was named so after the woman who did her best to help the sculpture make this statue.

You can see the 4 ^th micro district and an amazing Spaso-Preobrazhensky cathedral if you look on the left from the stele. The avenue of People's friendship starts from the place where the cathedral is situated.

There is Abakan youth palace, airport "Abakan", hotel "Siberia" and a lot of shops situated on this avenue.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky cathedral

Spaso-Preobrazhensky cathedral is situated on Sobornaya square in Abakan city. The cathedral is a marvelous five-headed building with golden domes and 12 bells which ring on holidays. It is built in a classical style with 7 domes, white outside. The cathedral consists of two temples: upper and low. The low temple is used for christening. The belfry includes 12 bells, the biggest of which weighs 5670 kg.

There are several sacred objects enshrined in the cathedral. They include the icons of Siberian saints such as Saint Innokenty, Moscow metropolitan, Saint Ioann, Tobolsky metropolitan, Tobolsky bishop, Vasily Mangazeisky martyr, Saint Fedor, Tomsky monk and Saint blessed Moscow Matron.

The puppet theatre "Fairytale"

The puppet theatre is not an ordinary theatre. This is a theatre of a fairytale and of a puppet. Every city which has such treasure boasts it. Abakan is not an exception. It has something to be proud of.

The Khakasian national puppet theatre "Fairytale" was founded in 1979. The first performance was called "The three piglets".

"Fairytale" is considered to be one of the best puppet theatres in Russia. The high skill level was mentioned many times by theatre critics not only in Russia, but also abroad. The repertoire of the theatre includes more than 100 shows based on Russian, German, French, Polish, Ukraine and Khakasian literature.

Starting from 1980 "Fairytale" is an organizer, participant and laureate of more than 30 regional and international contests and festivals.

Nowadays "Fairytale" participates in charity activity, organizing free shows for deaf children and orphans.

There is an old tradition of the theatre to open and close theatre seasons by performances played on the roof of the theatre.

The landscaping park "Gardens of the Dream"

The park has so many unexpected and interesting things: the Eiffel Tower, the evil claws and beak of an huge eagle, unsightly mounds near the grass are funny hedgehog, an English lawn, meditation in a Japanese garden, and the most impressing thing is many Siberian amazing plants, pergolas, swings, funny little creatures, sitting at the edges of walkways and much more.