| Victory day |
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The most treasured and at the same time sorrowful celebration of a year is held on the 9th of May when in 1945 Soviet soldiers defeated the Nazi during the WWII. On this day a somber ceremony takes place on Piskarevskoe cemetery and smartly –dressed veterans, festooned with medals fill Nevsky prospect and Palace square in commemoration of the surrender. |
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| City Day Carnival |
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As warm clothing and heavy boots are laid aside after the cold winter months with thick layers of snow, the locals flock to the center of Saint-Petersburg to appreciate a variety of events organized by the city’s authorities and participate in contests and other activities. |
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| Navy day |
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On the last Sunday of July the locals celebrate the so called “Den’ Voennomorskogo flota”, thus paying tribute to the founder of Russian Fleet Peter the Great who launched the first Russian battle ship on the shipyard on the bank of the Neva river. On this day the Neva resembles a shipyard with submarines, cruisers and torpedo boats adorned with flags and bunting. |
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| Smelts Festival |
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On the 13th of May the locals celebrate the smelts’ day, this breed of fish is especially loved by the Russians and what is more important can be bought only in May. Thus on this day people catch it, cook it and eat it. There is a huge number of entertainments dedicated to this event that take place on the territory of Peter and Paul Fortress. |
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| Celebrating New Year |
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New Year is the main public holiday in Russia that lasts for almost 2 weeks starting from the 31st of December and ends after the 13th of January when Russians celebrate the so-called Old-Style New Year. Everything starts with the arrival of Ded Moroz or Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka, the Snow girl . They bring New Year presents for the obedient children and hide them under the Christmas tree. There is a custom that children must sing a song or recite a poem to satisfy Old Man Frost before acquiring the gift from him. |
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