Festival in honor of Emperor Peter the Great's Birthday

3 days ago

The celebration of Emperor Peter the Great's birthday has recently joined the list of our city holidays. I caught the very beginning of this tradition. The backstory is important. Emperor Peter the Great is the founder of the city of St. Petersburg, the city was founded in 1703, the date of the founding of the city is May 27, and this day is a city holiday. On the birthday of the city are organized concerts, exhibitions, festivities, fireworks and other festive events. It is a very long tradition to hold a city holiday on May 27 and on those weekends that are closest to this date. But for a long time in the holiday calendar there was no special date dedicated to the Emperor, who is the founder of our city.

Emperor Peter the Great (Peter I Alekseevich, Romanov dynasty) was born on June 9, 1672. Emperor Peter the Great is known not only for the foundation of St. Petersburg, but also for military victories, creation of the Russian fleet, large-scale reforms in various spheres. Nevertheless, it was not customary to organize special holidays dedicated to this or other emperors during the Soviet period of history. I specifically inquired about the traditions that existed in our country before. It turned out that such holidays used to be held. For example, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Peter the Great, in 1872, a three-day celebration with a procession and folk festivities was organized.

About ten years ago, the revival of this holiday began with a private initiative of artist Denis Tof. The artist made a decoration in the form of a tall birthday cake out of white cardboard and foam and installed this work of street art near the monument to Emperor Peter the Great near the Admiralty. The birthday cake was installed near a low monument called “The Tsar Carpenter”. This monument depicts the emperor in work clothes, he is engaged in building a boat. This monument is not as solemn as other monuments and the cardboard cake blended perfectly into the city landscape.

Perhaps it was this private initiative that was noticed by the city administration, but maybe it was just a coincidence. But soon a festival dedicated to the Emperor's birthday appeared on the city's holiday calendar. By this date the city is decorated with flags and banners with imperial symbols, exhibitions and educational events are organized. There are also traditional folk festivals in city gardens and parks.

One of the most interesting events for the Emperor's Birthday is the festival on the embankment of the Neva River below the Blagoveshchensky Bridge. This festival is dedicated to the history of the Russian fleet. The embankment becomes a mooring place for sailing ships and rowing boats. Actors in historical costumes help to feel the atmosphere of bygone eras. Right on the quay, typical sea food is prepared under camping conditions. Baroque music, theatrical performances and reconstructions are staged.