Moscow City Day

Moscow City Day (Russian: День города Москвы, romanized: Den' goroda Moskvy) is a city-wide holiday held in Moscow. It is celebrated on the first or second Saturday of September. The celebration involves free cultural events, a parade and evening fireworks.[2][3] The first city day was held in 1847 to celebrate Moscow's 700th anniversary.

Moscow City Day
The Special Exemplary Military Band of the Guard of Honor Battalion of Russia during the parade on Tverskaya Street.
Official nameДень города Москвы
Also calledMoscow Day
Day of Moscow
Observed by Russia
 Moscow
TypeLocal
SignificanceCity day, created to celebrate first mention of Moscow in 1147
CelebrationsParades throughout the city, Fireworks
DateFirst or second Saturday of September
2022 date10–11 September[1]
Frequencyannual

History

The first city day was held on January 1, 1847, celebrating Moscow's 700th anniversary. At the end of prayers held in the Chudov Monastery, the bells in the Ivan the Great Bell Tower sounded. The city celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1947, this time during Soviet rule. According to a mandate of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, a special medal was awarded to almost 1.7 million Soviet citizens. In 1997, the 850th anniversary of Moscow was celebrated. Moscow Day was introduced as an annual event in 1986 by future-President Boris Yeltsin, who served as Secretary of the Moscow City Committee at the time.[4]

Celebrations
Main article: Tourism in Russia

About 1,000 different events and activities are held during the holiday, including parades, fairs, street entertainment, sports contests, and live music concerts. 67 Moscow museums offer free admission. Over 170 free walking and bicycle tours are organised.[5][6][7][8]

Parade

The celebrations begin with a procession along Tverskaya Street and finishes at the Kremlin.

Concerts

Evening concerts usually take 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. Concerts range from rising independent artists to international performers and urban classical orchestras.[9]

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 features famous singers, while the car park by the South Sport Complex provides a venue for a rap music concert.[10]

Other

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, the 2020 celebrations were reduced to a singular ceremony attended by President Putin in the Zaryadye Park Concert Hall.[11]

See also

References
  1. "День города 2022 Москва отметит 10 и 11 сентября". kp.ru.
  2. "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.
  3. "День города: как и где отмечать праздник". Ntv.ru. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  4. {{cite web|url=https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/russia/moscow/city-events/
  5. "Moscow City Day Russia E-guide". Russiaeguide.com. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  6. Sorokina, Anna (26 August 2017). "How to celebrate Moscow City Day like a local". Rbth.com. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  7. "Best of Moscow: City Day Celebrations". Themoscowtimes.com. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  8. "Moscow City Day - Russia E-guide". Russia E-guide. 2014-09-01. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  9. "The Moscow City Day - Russia Travel". Russia-travel.com. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  10. "Events / Moscow City Web Site". Mos.ru. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  11. "Putin commends Moscow authorities for well-coordinated work amid pandemic". TASS. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
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