“Exactly one year before the long awaited Sochi Olympics, Vladimir Putin went to Sochi personally to see how the construction is going. After receiving a report saying the ski jumps that were supposed to be ready in 2011, are not completed still, while their price has sky-rocketed from 1.2 billion to 8 billion roubles, he commented, “Good for you. Good job”, and then fired the vice president of the Olympic committee. Russian artist Vasily Slonov painted his view of the upcoming games, giving a new interpretation to the adored Russian mascot Cheburashka, and combining officially endorsed stereotypes of Russia with grimmer and less accepted ones”. – Ruskie.info. (Photo by Vasily Slonov)

Cast member Shu Qi poses during a photocall for the film “The Assassin” (Nie yin niang) in competition at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, May 21, 2015. (Photo by Eric Gaillard/Reuters)

A indigenous man from the Tabajara tribe is seen in Tocantins river before the I World Games for Indigenous People in Palmas, Brazil, October 21, 2015. (Photo by Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters)

A clown performs next to the Monument to the Revolution as he takes part in the Latin American Clown Convention in Mexico City, Mexico, October 21, 2015. The convention will be held from October 19 to 22 in Mexico City. (Photo by Henry Romero/Reuters)

People wear costumes as they participate in the ancient Yule Log dragging tradition during winter solstice celebrations in Riga, Latvia, December 21, 2015. (Photo by Ints Kalnins/Reuters)

Reveller Jacqueline Fernandez looks on in the rain during the 26th Annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice Parade in Toronto, Canada, December 21, 2015. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Reuters)