Vladimir Putin’s 2016 calendar: Spend the year with Russia’s president

Matthew Chance
By Matthew Chance, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 11:00 AM EST, Tue December 29, 2015
A Russian paper has published a 2016 calendar featuring photos of Vladimir Putin and quotes from the Russian president. The cover: "The more kindness and love there will be, the more confident and stronger we will be. And it means we will definitely succeed!"
Front page —
A Russian paper has published a 2016 calendar featuring photos of Vladimir Putin and quotes from the Russian president. The cover: "The more kindness and love there will be, the more confident and stronger we will be. And it means we will definitely succeed!"
zvezdi i soveti
"Christmas fills the hearts of millions of Russians with joy. This holiday harks back to the beginning of our spiritual traditions, to the ideals of love and mercy which have for centuries united the nation and helped us to hold out in times of tough challenges and difficulties."
January —
"Christmas fills the hearts of millions of Russians with joy. This holiday harks back to the beginning of our spiritual traditions, to the ideals of love and mercy which have for centuries united the nation and helped us to hold out in times of tough challenges and difficulties."
zvezdi i soveti
"Russia has got infinite nature! It was given to us - yes, that's the right word -by God!"<br />
February —
"Russia has got infinite nature! It was given to us - yes, that's the right word -by God!"
zvezdi i soveti
"I like all Russian women. I personally think Russian women are the most talented and the most beautiful."<br />
March —
"I like all Russian women. I personally think Russian women are the most talented and the most beautiful."
zvezdi i soveti
"A love for sport is established in childhood, in a family. A love for sport is inconsistent with tobacco, with alcohol, and with drugs."<br />
April —
"A love for sport is established in childhood, in a family. A love for sport is inconsistent with tobacco, with alcohol, and with drugs."
zvezdi i soveti
"Victory Day is our joint holiday because the Great Patriotic War was a battle for the future of humanity. Our fathers and grandfathers went through unbearable suffering, sacrifices and losses. They were fighting till the death. They showed us an example of nobility and true patriotism."<br /> <br />
May —
"Victory Day is our joint holiday because the Great Patriotic War was a battle for the future of humanity. Our fathers and grandfathers went through unbearable suffering, sacrifices and losses. They were fighting till the death. They showed us an example of nobility and true patriotism."
zvezdi i soveti
"What should you live for? I think -- for kids, for grandkids -- it's been always worth living for our motherland. And it's worth it today and in the future to live for it and to create. What else?"<br />
June —
"What should you live for? I think -- for kids, for grandkids -- it's been always worth living for our motherland. And it's worth it today and in the future to live for it and to create. What else?"
zvezdi i soveti
"My enthusiasm for active sport, like for many others, came during youth. And it hasn't changed over the years."<br /> <br />
July —
"My enthusiasm for active sport, like for many others, came during youth. And it hasn't changed over the years."
zvezdi i soveti
"As for fishing, I love it and always take what are unfortunately rare chances to sit with some fishing tackle."<br /> <br />
August —
"As for fishing, I love it and always take what are unfortunately rare chances to sit with some fishing tackle."
zvezdi i soveti
"The generosity of the soul of our people doesn't run dry. Their kindness, tenderness, cordiality, the kindest noble human feelings and intentions don't end."<br />
September —
"The generosity of the soul of our people doesn't run dry. Their kindness, tenderness, cordiality, the kindest noble human feelings and intentions don't end."
zvezdi i soveti
"No one will succeed in gaining military superiority over Russia. Our army is modern, effective and -- as they now say -- polite and formidable. We have enough will, force and courage to protect our freedom."<br />
October —
"No one will succeed in gaining military superiority over Russia. Our army is modern, effective and -- as they now say -- polite and formidable. We have enough will, force and courage to protect our freedom."
zvezdi i soveti
"Dogs and I have very warm feelings for one another."<br />
November —
"Dogs and I have very warm feelings for one another."
zvezdi i soveti
"Dear friends! The New Year is coming. It's time to say the warmest words to your loved ones, to thank them for their understanding and reliability, their patience and care. Happy holiday!"
December —
"Dear friends! The New Year is coming. It's time to say the warmest words to your loved ones, to thank them for their understanding and reliability, their patience and care. Happy holiday!"
zvezdi i soveti
"I think a lifetime is not long enough to visit all corners of our country -- even those most bright and authentic ones."
Back page —
"I think a lifetime is not long enough to visit all corners of our country -- even those most bright and authentic ones."
zvezdi i soveti
The 2016 Vladimir Putin calendar

Story highlights

Fans of Russian President in for a treat as calendar with photos and quotes goes on sale

Hugely popular leader ensures calendar sells like hotcakes

Moscow CNN  — 

Fans of Vladimir Putin can now spend “the whole year with the Russian president” as a new 2016 limited edition calendar is released in Russia showing the country’s strongman leader in a variety of carefully-crafted poses.

Every month features an inspiring photograph of Russia’s popular leader – either fishing topless, going to church, lifting weights, or dressed in naval uniform. Each image is accompanied by a quotation from the man himself, on topics ranging from his love of dogs, Russian women and fishing to the country’s growing military power.

Dogs and Putin have “warm feelings” for one another, we learn in November. In March we are told that Russian women are the “most beautiful.”

The 2016 Putin calendar was published by a tabloid Russian newspaper, Zvezdi I Soveti (Stars and Advice), which says it printed 200,000 copies.

Unsurprisingly, in a country where Putin’s popularity ratings regularly top 80%, the calendars have been a big hit and are already selling out.

We bought the last copy at one Moscow newspaper kiosk, so take a look.

READ: What Putin’s presidential potty mouth is all about

While his nation waded deeper into the Syrian civil war, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, spent his 63rd birthday on the ice Wednesday, October 7, playing hockey with NHL stars and various Russian officials and tycoons in Sochi. For years, Russia's leader has cultivated a populist image in the Russian media.
While his nation waded deeper into the Syrian civil war, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, spent his 63rd birthday on the ice Wednesday, October 7, playing hockey with NHL stars and various Russian officials and tycoons in Sochi. For years, Russia's leader has cultivated a populist image in the Russian media.
ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty Images
Putin holds a cat as he inspects housing built for victims of wildfires in the village of Krasnopolye, in a region in southeastern Siberia, Russia, on Friday, September 4.
Putin holds a cat as he inspects housing built for victims of wildfires in the village of Krasnopolye, in a region in southeastern Siberia, Russia, on Friday, September 4.
Alexei Druzhinin/AP
Putin, left, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev jokingly toast at a lunch during a meeting at the Black Sea resort in Sochi, Russia, on Sunday, August 30.
Putin, left, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev jokingly toast at a lunch during a meeting at the Black Sea resort in Sochi, Russia, on Sunday, August 30.
Mikhail Klimentyev/Presidential Press Service/RIA Novosti/AP
Putin exercises during his meeting with Medvedev on August 30.
Putin exercises during his meeting with Medvedev on August 30.
Mikhail Klimentyev/AP
Putin sits in a bathyscaphe as it plunges into the Black Sea along the coast of Sevastopol, Crimea, on Tuesday, August 18. Putin went underwater to see the wreckage of an ancient merchant ship that was found in the end of May.
Putin sits in a bathyscaphe as it plunges into the Black Sea along the coast of Sevastopol, Crimea, on Tuesday, August 18. Putin went underwater to see the wreckage of an ancient merchant ship that was found in the end of May.
Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP
Putin holds a Persian leopard cub in February 2014 at a breeding and rehabilitation center in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Perhaps the most important vote in Russia's public selection of a new Olympic mascot was cast when Putin said he wanted a funky leopard to represent the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
Putin holds a Persian leopard cub in February 2014 at a breeding and rehabilitation center in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Perhaps the most important vote in Russia's public selection of a new Olympic mascot was cast when Putin said he wanted a funky leopard to represent the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty Images
Putin holds a pike he caught in the Siberian Tuva region of Russia on July 20, 2013.
Putin holds a pike he caught in the Siberian Tuva region of Russia on July 20, 2013.
Alexei Nikolsky/RIA-Novosti/Presidential Press Service/AP
Putin enjoys some fishing during his vacation to the Tuva region on July 20, 2013.
Putin enjoys some fishing during his vacation to the Tuva region on July 20, 2013.
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images
Putin submerges on board Sea Explorer 5 bathyscaphe near the isle of Gogland in the Gulf of Finland on July 15, 2013.
Putin submerges on board Sea Explorer 5 bathyscaphe near the isle of Gogland in the Gulf of Finland on July 15, 2013.
ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty Image
Putin studies a crane during an experiment called Flight of Hope on September 5, 2012, in which he piloted a hang glider, aiming to lead the birds into flight. It's part of a project to save the rare species of crane.
Putin studies a crane during an experiment called Flight of Hope on September 5, 2012, in which he piloted a hang glider, aiming to lead the birds into flight. It's part of a project to save the rare species of crane.
AFP/Getty Images
Putin takes part in a training session for young ice hockey players before the "Golden Puck" youth tournament final in Moscow on April 15, 2011.
Putin takes part in a training session for young ice hockey players before the "Golden Puck" youth tournament final in Moscow on April 15, 2011.
Putin rides a Harley-Davidson to an international biker convention in southern Ukraine on July 14, 2010.
Putin rides a Harley-Davidson to an international biker convention in southern Ukraine on July 14, 2010.
The Russian president aims at a whale with an arbalest (crossbow) to take a piece of its skin for analysis at Olga Bay on August 25, 2010.
The Russian president aims at a whale with an arbalest (crossbow) to take a piece of its skin for analysis at Olga Bay on August 25, 2010.
A wetsuit-clad Putin embarks on a dive to an underwater archaeological site at Phanagoria on the Taman Peninsula on August 10, 2011.
A wetsuit-clad Putin embarks on a dive to an underwater archaeological site at Phanagoria on the Taman Peninsula on August 10, 2011.
Famed for his love of martial arts, Putin throws a competitor in a judo session at an athletics school in St. Petersburg on December 18, 2009.
Famed for his love of martial arts, Putin throws a competitor in a judo session at an athletics school in St. Petersburg on December 18, 2009.
Putin during his vacation in southern Siberia on August 3, 2009.
Putin during his vacation in southern Siberia on August 3, 2009.
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images
Putin swims the butterfly during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in southern Siberia on August 3, 2009.
Putin swims the butterfly during his vacation outside the town of Kyzyl in southern Siberia on August 3, 2009.
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images
Assisted by a Russian scientist, Putin fixes a satellite transmitter to a tiger during his visit to the Ussuriysky forest reserve of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the Far East on August 31, 2008.
Assisted by a Russian scientist, Putin fixes a satellite transmitter to a tiger during his visit to the Ussuriysky forest reserve of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the Far East on August 31, 2008.
Putin carries a hunting rifle in the Republic of Tuva on September 3, 2007.
Putin carries a hunting rifle in the Republic of Tuva on September 3, 2007.
A shirtless Putin fishing in the headwaters of the Yenisei River in the Republic of Tuva on August 13, 2007.
A shirtless Putin fishing in the headwaters of the Yenisei River in the Republic of Tuva on August 13, 2007.
Putin in the cockpit of a Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber jet at a military airport on August 16, 2005, before his supersonic flight.
Putin in the cockpit of a Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber jet at a military airport on August 16, 2005, before his supersonic flight.
Cult of Putin