Moscow City Day

Moscow City Day
Official name День города Москвы
Also called Moscow Day
Day of Moscow
Observed by  Russia
 Moscow
Type Local
Significance Celebrates the founding of Moscow in 1147
Celebrations Parades throughout the city, Fireworks
Frequency annual

The Moscow City Day (Russian: День города Москвы) is an official event in the Russian capital of Moscow which honors the founding of the city. Moscow traditionally celebrates the holiday during the first weekend in September. The celebration will culminate in the evening with a firework display launched from 12 different locations (starts at 10:30 pm).[1][2]

History

It was first celebrated as a local holiday on January 1, 1847, during the celebrations of the 700th anniversary of Moscow. At the end of prayers, which were held in the Chudov Monastery, the bells in the Ivan the Great Bell Tower sounded. 100 years later, the city celebrated its 800 anniversary in 1947, this time during Soviet rule. According to a mandate of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, a special medal awarded to almost 1.7 million Soviet citizens. 50 years later in 1997, the 850th anniversary of Moscow was celebrated for the first time since it was declared an annual event by President Boris Yeltsin.

Citywide celebrations

There are about 1,000 different events and activities held during the holiday, including parades, fairs, street entertainment, sports contests and live music concerts.[3][4][5]

Parade

The celebrations begin on with a procession along Tverskaya Street and finishing at the Kremlin. Tverskaya has traditionally become a pedestrian zone during the holiday. The parade usually includes various national academic and military marching bands, which on some occasions have included the participants of the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo, which takes place earlier in the month.

Concerts

An evening concert usually takes place in large areas such as Red Square, Cathedral Square and Manezhnaya Square. Classical music concerts, are also held at city parks such as Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno, and Sokolniki. The Patriarch Ponds annually hosts a unique concert-on-water as a part of the festivities in the city. Concerts range from rising independent artists, to international performers and urban classical orchestras.[6]

Tours of Moscow

Close to 70 Moscow museums will offer free admission on this day and over 170 free walking and bicycle tours are organised over the holiday weekend.

Mass event

A traditional mass event is held at Luzhniki Stadium in the Khamovniki District. The event features amusement rides, games and competitions. The main stage opposite the central entrance will feature famous singers, while the car park by the South Sport Complex will provide a venue for a rap music concert.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Перечень праздничных, памятных дней, дней проведения торжественных и иных мероприятий, к которым на территории города обеспечивается праздничное и тематическое оформление" (pdf). Официальный сайт Мэра Москвы. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  2. ↑ "День города: как и где отмечать праздник". Ntv.ru. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  3. ↑ "Moscow City Day - Russia E-guide". Russiaeguide.com. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  4. ↑ Sorokina, Anna (26 August 2017). "How to celebrate Moscow City Day like a local". Rbth.com. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Best of Moscow: City Day Celebrations". Themoscowtimes.com. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "The Moscow City Day - Russia Travel". Russia-travel.com. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "Events / Moscow City Web Site". Mos.ru. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
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